How to Cut a Watermelon Into Fancy Shapes

Melon balls are easy to cut for use in watermelon fruit salad.

Watermelons are one of summertime's finest treats. Served icy cold or at room temperature, cut into wedges or fancy baskets and even blended into smoothies and punch, watermelons add a smile to any summer time gathering or barbeque. Children and adults of all ages and backgrounds enjoy watermelon. They also contain countless health and nutritional benefits, including lycopene, vitamins A and C, beta-carotenes and potassium. Watermelons have earned their place as a longed for summer time tradition.

Things You'll Need

• Large oblong watermelon
• Serving platter
• Knife
• Pencil
• Melon baller
• Toothpicks (optional)
• Cookie cutters (optional)
• Blueberries, honeydew, cantaloupe (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash the watermelon thoroughly. Remove any dirt or bacteria on the outside of the rind before cutting into it.

2. Slice approximately 1/4 inch off the bottom to create a flat, stable surface for the watermelon. Place it on your serving platter.

3. Mark the basket handle with a pencil, approximately 2 inches wide. Cut out the watermelon on either side of the handles. Use caution and avoid cutting into the base of the handle. Use a knife and cut zigzag patterns or graceful curves along the edge of the basket for additional style.

4. Remove sections of the watermelon flesh as large as possible while keeping the rind intact. Cut the watermelon flesh into slices. Using the cookie cutters, cut shapes from the watermelon slices.

5. Use the melon baller to scoop spheres from the remaining watermelon flesh. Cut similar shapes and balls from the flesh of the cantaloupe and honeydew melons if desired.

6. Fill your watermelon basket with the shapes and spheres of fruit you have carved as well as a hand full of blueberries for color. Place melon balls onto the center of flower cutouts and attach to the handle of the basket with half a toothpick, along with a few other shapes, as desired. Chill and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any firm fruit to cut additional shapes for the basket. Fresh pineapple slices are a nice addition, along with whole grapes or strawberries. Use an assortment of colors for an attractive fruit salad.

References

• National Watermelon Promotion Board; Americana Basket; 2010
• University of Illinois Extension; Watch Your Garden Grow: Watermelon; Ron Wolford and Drusilla Banks; 2011